A PARISH council has performed a U-turn to join growing opposition to a planned tourist attraction.

Outline plans for a renewable energy centre, nicknamed "Eco-Disney", near the small village of Eastgate, in County Durham, were submitted to Wear Valley District Council in April.

But villagers are divided over the merits of the complex, which will create 350 jobs and produce five forms of green energy, because they are worried it is the wrong development for the dale and could turn out to be a white elephant.

Residents began raising concerns about health and safety, traffic and a strain on resources after the plans were put on display last month.

Stanhope Parish Council, which backed Eastgate Renewable Energy Centre in November, met on Tuesday night to review its stance.

By a six to four majority, councillors voted against the multimillion pound development, which will include affordable housing that could result in Eastgate's population growing by 200 per cent.

County councillor John Shuttleworth said the opposition, headed by a group of residents called the Eastgate Action Group, was scaremongering.

He said: "It is vitally important that we secure jobs for local people to maintain a gender balance throughout the valley and to keep services, schools and shops alive."

He also challenged Eastgate parish councillor and action group member Kathleen Hutchinson to declare an interest, because he said she owns two caravan sites near the proposed development.

But Mrs Hutchinson defended her position, and said: "I do not stand to gain anything or make any money from opposing the renewable energy centre.

"My position as a parish councillor for Eastgate and my willingness to represent the people in my village precedes everything else."

Mrs Hutchinson declared an interest, but her vote against was allowed.

The Eastgate Action Group is creating a website to promote its campaign and said it had the full support of all Eastgate residents.

Spokesman Alan Gibbons said: "These proposals are very farreaching.

The extra housing will overwhelm Eastgate and change the demographic of the village."

The plans are on display at the Civic Centre, in Crook, the Durham Dales Centre, in Stanhope, at Wolsingham Library and at weardale-works.co.uk